substrate!

[krrc]

What substrate do you use?

[alex_33]

I use Crushed Walnut shells, i have seen my bearded dragon ingest some from time to time when going after some crickets, so i think it must be pretty safe.

[ThEmAdHaTtEr]

Me too alex. That repti-sand stuff? Yeah the crush wall nuts seem to work just fine. Mine eats it off the ground lol. Shes one odd beardie. I havnt had problems yet. But I heard if they get too much it can impact them. So I'm gunna hafta put a top layer of calci-sand on top (Shees that stuff is pricey here..).

[killaclown]

iuse reptie bark of astroturf

[eyespy]

When I was working for VHUP, I saw 5-7 sand impaction deaths per week and absolutely hate the stuff. I use Bed-a-Beast or other coconut husk substrates. It's the only one I've tested that passes the digestibility test of completely dissolving in a 5% hydrochloric acid solution in under 1 hour.

I've seen several hundred deaths from crushed walnut impactions as well.

[asphyxia]

I am liking that new coconut substrate alot (for Snakes), and have only heard good things about it. I find it especially good for high humidity species like a BRB's. Since I have been using it all my snakes have had perfect sheads.

2 pythons are still on forest bark and also doing well.

My leos are doing well and breeding on play sand and have been on it for 4 years.

The monitors use dirt.

Regards
Brian

[asphyxia]

I am liking that new coconut substrate alot (for Snakes), and have only heard good things about it. I find it especially good for high humidity species like a BRB's. Since I have been using it all my snakes have had perfect sheads.

2 pythons are still on forest bark and also doing well.

My leos are doing well and breeding on play sand and have been on it for 4 years.

The monitors use dirt.

Regards
Brian

[reptilez]

I use play-sand and have almost never seen them grab sand with the crix(they do lick the sand though). I want to change there substrate to something safer. What do you recommend?

[stretch]

I use astro turf. Even though the snake always stays underneath it.

[burmer]

I use cypress mulch for my burm, nile monitor, and borneo. I use coconut shell for my beardie and albino cal king.

[krrc]

I"m trying play sand now but if that doesent go well I will use coconut next. I have been though cali sand and aspen pellets so far.

[sunset]

I used to use playsand, 'till I started talking to eyespy, and was told about the impactions, then I about had a heart attack, so I switched to the coconut bed-a-beast stuff, and they have both put on weight, they poo more, and just look healthier all abound. They also enjoy digging in it, because it holds it's shape better than sand. Thanks again eyespy! You saved their lives!

[reverendsterlin]

basically I go by the animals defication rate, the more abundant (lol) animals get the cheaper stuff(usually carefresh) unless they need a specific atmosphere. Overall, I use bed-a-beast, aspen shreds, carefresh, and indoor/outdoor carpet on repts, sand for the scorps, and B-a-B for the millies.

[eyespy]

Glad to hear it's working out well for you and your beardies, sunset!

[sunset]

Definetly, they look so much better! Even people that come over to the house that have no clue about reptiles notice the difference. I also started giving more fruits & veggies like you said, and they are doing awesome! I can't thank you enough, they're our babies.

[Tim and Julie B]

We use several different things because of the large variety of herps that we keep. I would have to say that for the beardeds, turtles and most of our snakes that orchid bark is awesome! There are several places to but this and it is sterilized(of course you should always check the bag). We usually get it from Art Knapp's or Home Depot. It's pretty inexspensive for a large amount. Other than that we use blue shop towel for the geckos and sterilized potting soil(no chemicals ar fertilizers) for several other things. I absolutely HATE calci-sand! I switched my leos from that to blue shop towel and they crapped sand for like 2 weeks. You can never tell just how much they consume until you put them on a new substrate and can see how much is there.